A PSYCHOPATH'S BACK ON THE STREETS—AND HE'S OUT FOR REVENGE…

Dennis Carstens serves up a graphic throwback legal thriller in his fourth Marc Kadella installment, and this one’s dripping with suspense, one part captivating courtroom drama—one part grisly serial killer murder mystery. Marc is confronted with his sordid professional past when a series of violent criminal cases are overturned—and some of the Twin Cities’ nastiest chickens come home to roost.

We promise: you’ll need to read this one to the end.

Thirteen years ago, Jimmy “Little” Oliver was an accomplished (although diminutive) career burglar. He was no character out of Ocean’s Eleven, but he was reliable. And he knew how to case a joint. His partner was Howie “Big” Traynor, a bit younger than his cohort, and far more ruthless. Truth be told, Howie was a sociopath—and he scared the hell out of everyone, Jimmy included.

So when a home robbery-gone-wrong ended up in murder, Jimmy didn’t think twice before turning his partner in. And rising-star criminal lawyer Marc Kadella was saddled with Howie’s defense.

Marc was torn about his work for Howie—his first homicide case—but even he was relieved when Howie was put away for forty years… Until, a decade later, his case is re-opened. Seems the former tech in the BCA lab was falsifying DNA evidence to collude with cops in putting away suspected violent criminals. And now not only Howie, but a handful of wrongfully-accused felons, are back out on the streets.

Marc and his longtime buddy PI Tony Caravelli don’t buy Howie’s come-to-Jesus act. And when an appeals judge with ties to the overturned cases winds up crucified in his own front yard, they’re convinced a dangerous killer has been wrongfully exonerated.

Carsten’s wry dialogue and gritty realism shine here as Marc and his old friends in the police force band together to solve a series of brutal murders at the hands of a psychotic vigilante who isn’t slowing down. This is a unique kind of killer: one who knows the police force and takes a terrifying amount of pleasure in keeping them on their toes. One by one, lawyers and judges connected to the exonerated criminals turn up dead. And Marc’s pretty sure he’s next.

A heart-racing legal thriller reminiscent of iconic hard-boiled puzzlers by John Grisham, Richard North Patterson, and Erle Stanley Gardner. This one will keep you guessing all the way to its gripping conclusion…and shaking in your shoes.

Product description

Product Description

A PSYCHOPATH'S BACK ON THE STREETS—AND HE'S OUT FOR REVENGE…

Dennis Carstens serves up a graphic throwback legal thriller in his fourth Marc Kadella installment, and this one’s dripping with suspense, one part captivating courtroom drama—one part grisly serial killer murder mystery. Marc is confronted with his sordid professional past when a series of violent criminal cases are overturned—and some of the Twin Cities’ nastiest chickens come home to roost.

We promise: you’ll need to read this one to the end.

Thirteen years ago, Jimmy “Little” Oliver was an accomplished (although diminutive) career burglar. He was no character out of Ocean’s Eleven, but he was reliable. And he knew how to case a joint. His partner was Howie “Big” Traynor, a bit younger than his cohort, and far more ruthless. Truth be told, Howie was a sociopath—and he scared the hell out of everyone, Jimmy included.

So when a home robbery-gone-wrong ended up in murder, Jimmy didn’t think twice before turning his partner in. And rising-star criminal lawyer Marc Kadella was saddled with Howie’s defense.

Marc was torn about his work for Howie—his first homicide case—but even he was relieved when Howie was put away for forty years… Until, a decade later, his case is re-opened. Seems the former tech in the BCA lab was falsifying DNA evidence to collude with cops in putting away suspected violent criminals. And now not only Howie, but a handful of wrongfully-accused felons, are back out on the streets.

Marc and his longtime buddy PI Tony Caravelli don’t buy Howie’s come-to-Jesus act. And when an appeals judge with ties to the overturned cases winds up crucified in his own front yard, they’re convinced a dangerous killer has been wrongfully exonerated.

Carsten’s wry dialogue and gritty realism shine here as Marc and his old friends in the police force band together to solve a series of brutal murders at the hands of a psychotic vigilante who isn’t slowing down. This is a unique kind of killer: one who knows the police force and takes a terrifying amount of pleasure in keeping them on their toes. One by one, lawyers and judges connected to the exonerated criminals turn up dead. And Marc’s pretty sure he’s next.

A heart-racing legal thriller reminiscent of iconic hard-boiled puzzlers by John Grisham, Richard North Patterson, and Erle Stanley Gardner. This one will keep you guessing all the way to its gripping conclusion…and shaking in your shoes.

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

A highly intriguing book. A convicted murderer and 3 other criminals are released from jail on a technicality. Suddenly people associated with tgeir cases start toturn up mutilated and murdered. Coincidence or not? You will be totally surprised. A must read for all suspense lovers.

This is Carstens' fourth book.. The first was very good each one since has been better than the last.

This book is a great read, very crisply and compactly written. The plot has numerous twists and turns.

In this book he created some real potential problems for his care including an enormous conflict of interest with his investigator Maddy Rivers, making me wonder how he was going to extract himself from them, but he did not disappoint.

The basic premise of the book, supremely evil people being released from prison because of falsified DNA results is, unfortunately, not only completely plausible but very timely.

The story is a great page turner. I found myself trying to anticipate the twists and turns, sometimes with success, ultimately without.

I have read this series of books- in order and have enjoyed them all. Certain Justice was my favorite. It kept my interest, moved along at a good clip, kept the reading wonder who was really at the root of this & did not leave the end hanging or a feeling of being cheated of the time invested. I have moved more towards legal thrillers and out of just serial killer gore. This was a good read but didn't have me up all night- afraid to go to sleep. I will definitely look forward to more from this author. I read purely for entertainment purposes so am not grading on a few typos that may or may not occur. I would recommend this book to a friend- and have.

Did he do it? Could he have done it while being watched by the cops? But the biggest question is can the accused persuade judge and jury he actually turned over a new leaf and has been saved by God.......or is it all a fabrication? Be prepared to put your life on hold while you read through the book to the unexpected conclusion. It's good guy defense attorney vs bad guy prosecutor, defending an ex-con placed in the system by a botched DNA finding. One of the best courtroom dramas you will ever read. Enjoy!

It kept me up till 4 am.It's a gripping police procedural and courtroom drama.No fluff, no wasted pages about who was wearing what.The bad guys were really bad, the cops were hard working and the lawyer was brilliant in court.But what if the defendant gets off and it's later discovered he's guilty?Very well written by someone who obviously knows his way around a court.